Concrete form vibrator clamp unit

ABSTRACT

A concrete form vibrator clamp includes a flat mounting plate with a first L-shaped clamping wall bolted thereto and a second pivotally mounted to the end of a movable shaft ending in a tubular cam follower. An eccentric cam is pivotally attached to the cam follower. The lever is positioned between a locking position and a release position to selectively move the second wall toward and away from the clamping wall and thereby provide for selective attachment of the clamping unit to the concrete form. A pair of vibrating attachment bolt units are secured to the opposite face of the plate and project outwardly to receive the input of the vibrating apparatus. The bolted wall permits attachment and release of the unit to a two-by-four or four-byfour brace.

[ May 28, 1974 1 1 CONCRETE FORM VIBRATOR CLAMP UNIT [75] Inventor: George 11. Binsfeld, Port Washington, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Construction Forms, Inc.,

CedarbUrg Wis.

{221 Filed: Jen/32,1972

211 Appl. No.: 259,149

[52] US. Cl 2.48/14, 248/229, 425/432,

269/235 [51] Int. Cl. F16m 13/00 {58] Field of Search 269/229, 232, 235, 236,

269/230, 282, 95, 237, 278, 258; 425/456, 432, 424, 425; 259/D1G. 41, DIG. 42; 248/228, 229, 14

3,575,405 4/1971 Harding 269/258 Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or FirmAndrus, Sceales, Starke &

Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A concrete form vibrator clamp includes a flat mounting plate with a first L-shaped clamping wall bolted thereto and a second pivotally mounted to the end of a movable shaft ending in a tubular cam follower. An eccentric cam is pivotally attached to the cam follower. The lever is positioned between a locking position and a release position to selectively move the second wall toward and away from the clamping wall and thereby provide for selective attachment of the clamping unit to the concrete form. A pair of vibrating attachment bolt units are secured to the opposite face of the plate and project outwardly to receive the input of the vibrating apparatus. The bolted wall permits attachment and release of the unit to a two-by-four or four-by-four brace.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CONCRETE FORM VIBRATOR CLAMP UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a concrete form vibrator clamp unit and particularly to a releasable clamping unit for interattachment to a concrete retaining wall form to a vibration source.

In the construction of various building structures and the like, cast concrete walls may advantageously be employed. Generally, in the construction of such walls suitable forms are provided defining a mold into which the concrete is poured and allowed to set. The forms are thereafter removed. In the pouring of concrete, it is highly advantageous if not essential to, in essence, stir or tamp the concrete as it is being poured to ensure exclusion of air and the like and thereby form a high strength concrete wall structure.

With modern building methods various means have been provided for connecting of a vibrating member to the form structures to vibrate the forms and thereby provide for the desired compacting and settling of the concrete. Generally, the concrete vibrating members are constructed with an output device which is releasably interconnected to special connecting means built into the forms. This requires the use of special wall forms and relatively expensive apparatus and units.

In many applications particularly those involving contractors of relatively small size, simplified concrete forms are employed including a two-by-four type framework to which the wall forms or plates are attached. In the present day systems, special attachment means must be provided for interconnection of the automatic vibrating devices.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is particularly directed to a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive coupling unit which can be manually attached and released with respect to the conventional two-by-four form or similar form strengthening brace and includes means to provide interconnection of a conventional vibrating source means. This then permits the use of the vibrating apparatus without the use of the special attachment means heretofore required and further permits the optimum placement of the vibrating apparatus at the desired location with respect to the material being poured.

In accordance with the particularly novel aspect of the present invention, the vibrator clamp unit includes a flat mounting plate. A pair of planar clamping walls are attached to and project from one side of the mounting plate. At least one of the walls is movably mounted to permit relative release movement between the two clamping walls and thereby permits attachment and release of the unit to the two-by-four or other similar strengthening member. The other of said walls includes a plurality of mountings to adjust for basically difference sized braces. A cam lever is pivotally attached to the exterior side of the mounting plate and coupled to a cam member attached to the movable clamping plate. The lever is positioned between a locking position and a release position to selectively move the movable plate toward and away from the clamping plate and thereby provide for selective attachment of the clamping unit to the concrete form. In addition. a pair of vibrating attachment means are secured to the opposite face of the plate and project outwardly to receive the input of the vibrating apparatus. Thus the members may advantageously be a pair of clamping bolts which project from the clamping plate and permit ready attachment of conventional vibrating devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing furnished herewith illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the subject invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of such embodiment.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a concrete building wall unit with a concrete form vibrator coupling unit releasably attached thereon;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1 and illustrating the coupling unit construction of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken generally on line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a modified construction of the illustrated embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a concrete wall form 1 is mounted in a vertical position and defines one side of a mold within which concrete 2 is being poured to form a vertical concrete wall. A concrete form vibrator unit 3, of which only the attachment end is shown, is attached to the form I by a special coupling or clamping unit 4 constructed in accordance with the present invention for releasable interconnection to the wall form. The vibrator unit 3 establishes a vibration force on the coupling unit 4 which is transmitted through the wall form I and to the concrete with a resulting effective compacting of the concrete within the form to produce the desired strength in the wall.

The concrete wall form I is a more or less conventional unit which is generally formed with a plurality of similar sections each of which includes a vertical plate section 5 defining the wall form as such. This is strengthened by a plurality of vertical and horizontal braces 6 which extend throughout the length and width of the wall form. Generally, the braces 6 are a two-byfour or four-by-four wood member. Such forms are conventional and will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art and consequently no further description thereof is given. Similarly, the energy vibrator source 3 for creating vibration may be any well-known device and no further description of the unit is given other than is necessary to fully describe the preferred construction of the present invention and particularly the vibrator clamping unit 4 of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 4, inclusive, the illustrated coupling or clamp unit 4 includes a mounting plate 7 shown as a rectangular metal plate of a relatively heavy material, such as a quarter inch thick. A pair of clamping walls 8 and 9 project from the inner side or face of the mounting plate 7 and define a pair of parallel planar clamping surfaces or flat walls which are adapted to grasp the projecting concrete form strengthening brace 6. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the one wall 8 is in the form of an L- shaped member having the clamping wall integrally formed with a mounting base 10. The base abutts the mounting plate 7 and is releasably attached thereto by a pair of small mounting bolt units 11 and 12 passing through suitable defined openings in the members. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a pair of auxiliary holes 13 are located in laterally spaced relation to the mounting bolt units 11 and 12 to permit adjustment of the positioning of the clamping wall 8 and in particular to establish a pair of basic openings for clamping a two-by-four or a four-by-four brace 6.

The opposite clamping wall 9 is a planar metal member which is movably attached to support plate 7 for limited movement with respect to wall 8. A rectangular U-shaped wall 14 is welded or otherwise secured to the mounting plate 7 and defines an enclosure about the mounting and operating mechanism for wall 9 as well as a guide for wall 9. A pivot bolt 15 is secured to wall 9 by a pair of spaced pivot plates 16 defining support members projecting from the back of wall 9 and into the guide wall 14. A position shaft 17 includes a cylidrical nut 18 located between the plate 16 and journaled on bolt 15. The shaft 17 extends outwardly through the wall 14 with a tubular cam member 19 secured to the outer end. A cam 20 is disposed within the member 19 and eccentrically carried by a supporting pivot shaft 21 journaled in the opposite sides of the U-shaped wall 14, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An operating lever 22 is secured to the shaft 21 adjacent one end of cam 20 and manually pivoted between a release position and a clamp position of the clamping wall 9. The lever 22 is shown as a simple metal arm welded or otherwise secured to the shaft and projecting radially outwardly from the wall 14. Thus by rotation of the lever through 180, the movable wall 9 is moved toward and away from the fixed wall 8 to thereby vary the space therebetween between a release position and a tight clamping position.

In addition, two pairs of spaced attachment bolts 23 and 24 extend from the exterior of the mounting plate 7 for releasable and rigid attachment of the vibrating plate 7 to a conventional vibrating source 3. The bolts 23 are shown as being stud welded to plate 7 as the heads of the bolts would interfere with the receiving of the four-by-four brace 6 between walls 8 and 9, as most clearly shown in FIG. 2.

In addition, the coupling unit 4 is provided with a U- shaped handle 25 welded or otherwise secured to the one end of the mounting plate 7 opposite that of the operating lever 22. This provides for convenient carrying of the coupling unit.

During the pouring of the concrete 2, one or more of the units 4 is releasably clamped to the appropriate brace 6 to provide a very firm and rigid interconnection between the coupling unit 4 and the corresponding portion of the wall form 1. The fixed wall 8 is secured to the mounting plate 7 to establish spacing with respect to the movable wall 9 in accordance with the size of the braces 6 of the wall form 1. The vibrator source 3 is bolted to the mounting plate 7 through the coupling bolts 23. Operation of source 3 causes the unit 4 to vibrate the interconnected portion of form 1. When that particular location no longer needs vibration, the coupling unit lever 22 is pivoted to the release position to directly release the coupling unit 4 which is then moved to a more appropriate spot on the form 1. When the complete casting of the wall has been completed, the

coupling units are removed from the wall and from the vibrator source to permit convenient storage and transportation.

The illustrated coupling unit 4 provides for horizontal vibration. Other applications-require vertical vibration and thus require attachment of the vibration source at 90 to that illustrated. The illustrated embodiment of the present invention permits such interconnection by the provision of an additional pair of mounting openings 26 located in the plate 7 to the backside of the movable wall 9. Openings 26 are spaced laterally in accordance with the spacing of the attachment bolts 23 and 24 for the vibrator means 3 and are spaced from the outer mounting holes 27 for releasably, fixably mounted clamping wall 8, in accordance with the conventional opposite longitudinal spacing of the vibrating source connector or bolts 23. The mounting plate 7 shown in FIG. 4 is constructed as a part of a clamping unit for vertical vibration. The relatively fixed wall 8 is positioned for a maximum clamp opening. The vibrator attachment bolts 28 pass through the opening in base 10 and thus are employed to also secure the wall 8 in place. Vibrator mounting bolts 29 pass through openings 26 to complete the attachment. This permits the single plate to be used in construction of either of the desired clamp units.

Generally, a user will maintain a separate inventory of the horizontal and vertical clamp or coupling units. With this arrangement it is desirable to locate the handle 30 for the vertical mount along the opposite wall to prevent interference with the vibrating source connection and to maintain convenient handling of the clamp units.

The present invention is found to provide a reliable simple and inexpensive coupling unit which has found highly satisfactory application in the actual commercial construction of concrete walls and the like.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

1 claim:

1. In combination, a vibration source means and clamp unit for mounting said vibration source means to an object to be vibrated, said clamp unit comprising a mounting means having attachment means for interconnection to said vibration source means to establish vibrating movement of the mounting means, clamp means on the opposite side of said mounting means including a pair of spaced planar clamp members, a first of said clamp members being movably mounted to said mounting means for movement toward and away from the opposite second of said clamp members, and a manually operably lever member secured to said mounting means and connected to said first clamp member and having a first position retracting said movable clamp member and a second position forcing the movable clamp member toward said second clamp member and providing rapid releasable connection to the object for producing vibrating movement of the object clamped therebetween.

2. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 1 wherein said mounting means is a plate member, said attachment means-being disposed on one side of said plate for interconnection to said vibration source means on the opposite side of said plate member from said clamp members, a first of said clamp members being movably mounted to said plate member for movement toward and away from the opposite second of said clamp members, and a manually operable lever member connected to said first clamp member and having a first position retracting said movable clamp member and a second position forcing the movable clamp member toward said second clamp member.

3. The clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said first clamp member includes a support member, said clamp member slidably mounted to the plate member, and said lever is pivotally mounted upon said plate member and includes a cam means for selectively positioning the support member and attached first clamp member.

4. The clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said first clamp member includes a pivotally mounted support member, said clamp member slidably mounted to the plate member, and said lever includes an eccentric cam means pivotally mounted upon said plate member and coupled to said support member for selectively positoning the support member and attached first clamp member.

5. The clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said second clamp member is releasably bolted to the plate member, said plate member having at least first bolt openings to space the second clamp member for a two-byfour brace and second bolt openings to space the second clamp member for a four-byfour brace.

6. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said attachment means includes bolt means extending from the one side of said plate for interconnection to said vibration source means, said bolt means including a pair of bolt means located between said clamp members and being integrally attached to the plate.

7. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said second clamp member is L-shaped and includes a base wall abutting said plate member and a clamp wall extending outwardly from the plate member, said base wall and said plate members having corresponding aligned openings, bolt means in said openings to releasably attach the second clamp member to said plate member, said first clamp member including a flat wall mounted for movement toward and away from the clamp wall of said second clamp member, a U-shaped guide wall connected to said plate behind said flat wall, said flat wall having a pair of rearwardly extending support members in said guide wall, a pivot shaft pivotally attached to said support members and extending rearwardly through the guide wall, a cylindrical cam member eccentrically mounted between the opposite sides of said guide wall, said pivot shaft having a cylindrical follower journaled on said cam member, and said lever being secured to said cam member for rotation thereof between the release position and the clamp position.

8. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said second clamp member is L-shaped and includes a base wall abutting said plate member and a clamp wall extending outwardly from the plate member, said base wall and said plate members hving corresponding aligned openings, and bolt means in said openings to releasably attach the second clamp member to said plate member.

9. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said first clamp members includes a flat wall mounted for movement toward and away from said second clamp member, a U-shaped guide wall connected to said plate behind said flat wall, said flat wall having a pair of rearwardly extending support members in said U-shapedguide wall, a pivot shaft pivotally attached to said support members and extending rearwardly through the guide, wall, a cylindrical cam member eccentrically mounted between the opposite sides of said U-shaped guide wall, said pivot shaft having a cylindrical follower journaled on said cam member, and said lever being secured to said cam member for rotation thereof between the release position and the clamp position. 

1. In combination, a vibration source means and clamp unit for mounting said vibration source means to an object to be vibrated, said clamp unit comprising a mounting means having attachment means for interconnection to said vibration source means to establish vibrating movement of the mounting means, clamp means on the opposite side of said mounting means including a pair of spaced planar clamp members, a first of said clamp members being movably mounted to said mounting means for movement toward and away from the opposite second of said clamp members, and a manually operably lever member secured to said mounting means and connected to said first clamp member and having a first position retracting said movable clamp member and a second position forcing the movable clamp member toward said second clamp member and providing rapid releasable connection to the object for producing vibrating movement of the object clamped therebetween.
 2. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 1 wherein said mounting means is a plate member, said attachment means being disposed on one side of said plate for interconnection to said vibration source means on the opposite side of said plate member from said clamp members, a first of said clamp members being movably mounted to said plate member for movement toward and away from the opposite second of said clamp members, and a manually operable lever member connected to said first clamp member and having a first position retracting said movable clamp member and a second position forcing the movable clamp member toward said second clamp member.
 3. The clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said first clamp member includes a support member, said clamp member slidably mounted to the plate member, and said lever is pivotally mounted upon said plate member and includes a cam means for selectively positioning the support member and attached first clamp member.
 4. The clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said first clamp member includes a pivotally mounted support member, said clamp member slidably mounted to the plate member, and said lever includes an eccentric cam means pivotally mounted upon said plate member and coupled to said support member for selectively positoning the support member and attached first clamp member.
 5. The clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said second clamp member is releasably bolted to the plate member, said plate member hAving at least first bolt openings to space the second clamp member for a two-by-four brace and second bolt openings to space the second clamp member for a four-by-four brace.
 6. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said attachment means includes bolt means extending from the one side of said plate for interconnection to said vibration source means, said bolt means including a pair of bolt means located between said clamp members and being integrally attached to the plate.
 7. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said second clamp member is L-shaped and includes a base wall abutting said plate member and a clamp wall extending outwardly from the plate member, said base wall and said plate members having corresponding aligned openings, bolt means in said openings to releasably attach the second clamp member to said plate member, said first clamp member including a flat wall mounted for movement toward and away from the clamp wall of said second clamp member, a U-shaped guide wall connected to said plate behind said flat wall, said flat wall having a pair of rearwardly extending support members in said guide wall, a pivot shaft pivotally attached to said support members and extending rearwardly through the guide wall, a cylindrical cam member eccentrically mounted between the opposite sides of said guide wall, said pivot shaft having a cylindrical follower journaled on said cam member, and said lever being secured to said cam member for rotation thereof between the release position and the clamp position.
 8. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said second clamp member is L-shaped and includes a base wall abutting said plate member and a clamp wall extending outwardly from the plate member, said base wall and said plate members hving corresponding aligned openings, and bolt means in said openings to releasably attach the second clamp member to said plate member.
 9. The vibrator clamp unit of claim 2 wherein said first clamp members includes a flat wall mounted for movement toward and away from said second clamp member, a U-shaped guide wall connected to said plate behind said flat wall, said flat wall having a pair of rearwardly extending support members in said U-shaped guide wall, a pivot shaft pivotally attached to said support members and extending rearwardly through the guide wall, a cylindrical cam member eccentrically mounted between the opposite sides of said U-shaped guide wall, said pivot shaft having a cylindrical follower journaled on said cam member, and said lever being secured to said cam member for rotation thereof between the release position and the clamp position. 